6 Tips To Successfully Navigate Intimacy & Dating During Freshers Week

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Lovehoney.

Everything you need to know about sex and dating when you first start uni.

Alright, let’s be real— sex, dating, relationships and everything that comes with it are on a lot of people’s minds during freshers week. Whether you’re going to uni hoping to meet the love of your life or just want to explore and experiment, uni is the place to do it.

If you’re exploring sexually and want to treat yourself to some new lingerie or sex toys to spice things up there’s no place better to go than Lovehoney, and thanks to us you can get a student discount to help you save some cash! (Don’t worry, as everything comes in discreet packaging, so you won’t have to have an awkward moment collecting your post from the communal area in your new halls).

However, we know that sex and dating can be complicated, which is why we’ve put together our best advice to help you successfully navigate it during freshers. 

From dating apps to situationships, we’re here to help you out, and with your Lovehoney student discount, you can feel confident and ready to tackle freshers whatever your plans are.

1. Use dating apps with caution

First up, know what you want if you’re using dating apps during freshers.

Most single uni students will probably be on the apps. That leaves you with a lot of opportunities to find matches— but also to get hurt or confused if you’re not clear on exactly what you want from them. Are you looking for a one-night stand? Dinner and drinks? Someone to casually chat to when you’re bored? A relationship?

Maybe you’re open to all of these things, but it’s best to be honest when you start chatting with a new match and find out exactly what they want too— as this can save you a lot of time. If you match with someone who clearly just wants sex, it’s best not to start fantasising about your future together (although we know how easy it is to get carried away).

Just be honest, have fun and have an open mind— and don’t worry if you haven’t found the love of your life by the end of freshers.

2. Make sure you’re staying safe

Remember that condoms are the only contraception that protects from both STDs and pregnancy and you should always have them on you, even if you’re using another type of contraception— you can never be too safe. Students can even get a C card which can give you free condoms if you’re under 25, so make sure you look into this.

You can also use your Lovehoney student discount to buy condoms if you want to try something more personalised, like flavoured condoms or condoms designed for extra pleasure.

As a student, you should also make sure you’re being tested regularly, even if you only have one sexual partner. This is free and your uni might even offer testing or drop-in clinics. You can find out where you can get tested on the NHS website.

You can also get free chlamydia kits to do testing at home if you’re under 25.

Remember that STDs are nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of, but if left untreated they sometimes cause serious complications and you don’t want to be unknowingly spreading them to future partners.

Unfortunately, you can’t always be sure that your partners are taking the necessary precautions that you are, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re taking control and protecting yourself.

3. Be prepared with contraception and experiment with what works for you

Which brings us to our next point— contraception. Whether you have one partner or multiple you should always be prepared and you don’t have to just rely on condoms.

Luckily, there are loads of options out there to help you find something that will work for you. 

For other types of contraception, your GP can help you work out what’s best for you. There’s no harm in experimenting and listening to your body— if you’re experiencing bad side effects from the contraceptive pill you might find something like the implant works better for you.

Lovehoney has also partnered with Evaro to help you get quick access to contraception and other sexual wellness medication. With over 300 treatments available and next-day delivery, this is a great option to get contraception quickly and easily.

This is perfect for students as we know how tricky it can be to get an appointment with your GP, which isn’t ideal if you want to discuss your contraception options urgently. Plus, if you’re already on the pill it can be all too easy to forget about getting more until you’re about to run out, so if you are struggling to get through to your GP you can still get access to your pill without having to wait weeks for an appointment.

Uni is a great time to experiment and work out what works best, but make sure you’re always prepared and don’t just leave it up to your partner to sort out!

4. Don’t sleep with your flatmates

Yeah, we mean it. This is one of the most popular debates for new freshers and we’re here to tell you that there’s a lot to consider before you do. Do you want things to be awkward for an entire year? Do you actually not care and just can’t resist the sexual tension? Is it a one-time thing or do you want something more serious?

Well, if you’ve really thought about it, it’s up to you but remember that while you might not see some of your one-night stands ever again, you will have to see your flatmates probably every day for the rest of the year and there’s only so many times you can try to avoid them in the kitchen. Not to mention, it’s awkward for the rest of your flatmates too.

Sleeping with your flatmates especially early on can lead to some really awkward moments throughout the rest of the year, but while we’d advise against it— you never know, that could be your future husband or wife.

5. Don’t get hung up on your situationship

Situationships are hard to navigate. Do they like you? Do they just want sex? Are you going to be in a relationship? Can you tell your friends about them?

Yeah, we don’t know either, but we do know that situationships can really drag on and don’t always have a happy ending.

Remember that if you’re stuck in a situationship, it’s not a relationship and that leaves you free to explore other options. If you find yourself stuck in a long-term situationship, your feelings can get really complicated which is why we’re strongly advising you to never let it go on for too long and to try and be honest with one another about how you really feel early on.

Cutting off a situationship can really hurt but so can being strung along for a long time by someone you really like, who doesn’t reciprocate those feelings.

Remember that a situationship is just that and while you can entertain it, it doesn’t stop you from meeting other people at the same time— which can help you to realise whether or not it’s really worth staying in your situationship.

6. Don’t be afraid to experiment

Uni is the perfect time to experiment and Lovehoney is here to support you through every step of the journey. Whether it’s experimenting with new toys alone or with a partner, prioritising your sexual pleasure, finding new positions or playing a spicy card game— you can find everything you need and use your student discount to save some cash.

Remember that uni is probably the first time in your life you have complete freedom and you can use that however you want, as long as you’re experimenting safely.

Oh, and don’t forget to buy lube while you’re at it for better sex and more pleasure for both you and your partner.

Where to go for advice

Need more advice? Lovehoney has an answer for probably every question you could ever have about sex, sexual wellness, intimacy and dating over on their blog and advice hub. From new positions to how to spice up a relationship— if you need further advice make sure you’re heading to the Lovehoney website regularly this freshers.

Plus, don’t forget to use your Lovehoney student discount to help you save some money and improve your sex and dating life at the same time.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Lovehoney